Lix marchal



W. E. F. MARSHAL.

' DRIVING CHAIN COVER.

(Anplication filed on. 12,1897.

PATENT IVALTER EDOUARD FELIX MAROHAL, OF ST. MANDE, FRANCE.

DRIVING-CHAIN COVER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 609,037, dated August 16, 1898.

Application filed October 12, 1897. Serial No. 654,966. (No model.) Patented in France September 20,1897, No. 270,592; in Belgium September 20, 1897, No. 130,732,- in Germany September 21,1897,I lo.96,730, and in England September 23,

To all whom it map concern.-

Be it known that L'WALTER EDOUARD FE- LIX MAROHAL, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at St. Mand', in the Department of the Seine, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driving- Ghain Covers,of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to a chain-cover for the chains of cycles, automotors, and generally for all transmission-chains which need protection against dust, damp, mud, and the ike.

My invention is based in principle on the employment of an elastic tube, preferably of india-rubber, of transverse, circular, elliptical, or polygonal closed section, open throughout its length,(along a generating-line,) and furnished with suitable slots on the edges of the slit in order to allow of its being closely applied to the chain and suitably adjusted.

The subject-n1atter of my invention has been patented to me in the following countries: France, No. 270,592, dated September 20, 1897; Belgium, No. 130,732, dated September20, 1897; Germany, No. 96,730, dated September21, 1897, and Great Britain, No.21,806, dated September 23, 1897.

The two ends of the slit tube are joined together in any suitable manner. The length of the chain-cover thus formed must be slightly smaller than the length of the chain, so that the slight tension and the bilateral pressure caused by the tendency of the elastic material to resume its original closed section (being the tendency of the edges of the tube to come together again) sufiices amply for keeping the chain-cover on the chain. Not only is no fastening of the chain-cover to the chain thus necessary, but such would be in fact objectionable, the apparatus when in action passing over a slightly-less distance than the chain, whence results a continuous friction and an automatic cleaning.

In order that my invention may be understood, I annex drawings to the present description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of the chaincover forming my invention to the chain of a safety-bicycle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, on a larger scale, of a piece of tube of circular section before the opening has been effected along the generating-line, the cut first made being indicated by the letters X X. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the tube after being cut and opened and provided with the slots. This figure shows the natural shape assumed by the tube when the chain is not attached thereto.

The two edges or lips a a of the tubeA when in use press against the sides of the chain B, so that no other fastening is necessary.

In order to allow the chain-cover to follow the movement of the chain and to remain properly attached thereto during the rotation of the Wheels or pinions, suitable slots a are formed at certain regular intervals in the edges of the chain-cover A. These slots may be of any suitable form. In the drawings I have shown them as being of V shape,with a circular opening at the top. Fig. 1 shows without the necessity of further explanation how these slots allow the chain-cover to adapt itself to the different curves or indentations of the chain.

As I have previously stated,the idea of forming the chain-cover by means of a tube of originally closed transverse section enables me to dispense with the use of fastenings, so that the chain-cover is free to slide longitudinally on the chain in motion (which actually occurs in practice) and produces an automatic and continuous cleaning of the chain.

The chain-cover constituting my invention is exceedingly light, very inexpensive, and

very easy to put onand take 01f. I am aware that india-rubber chain-covers similar to mine have been employed already; but such are not formed ofa tube of originally closed transverse section, but, on the contrary, havea U- shaped profile, so that the edges have no tendency to press against the chain, and consequently fastenings are generally necessary. Hence the automatic cleaning during the working of the chain cannot be effected.

In conclusion I would observe that I have only given the annexed drawingsby way of demonstration and that my invention may be carried out in many other ways. Thus, for

example, instead of soldering or fastening together the ends of the split tube to form a continuous chain-cover I can make the tubes endless, and instead of employing a tube of circular section I can make use of a tube of originally elliptical or polygonal sectionfor instance, hexagonal, octagonal, &c.while instead of making the tube of india-rubber I can make use of a tube of any suitable elasv tic material or composition.

It will be easily understood from the foregoing that the c'hain-cover can be applied not only to cycle-chains, but to transmissionchains of other kinds.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and V in What manner the same is to be performed, I declare that What I claim isbrace the sides and outer face of a drivingchain, substantially as described.

2. An endless, channeled chain cover formed of elastic material and having separated slots in its inner side edges, said cover being adapted to embrace the sides and outer face of a driving-chain, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

WALTER EDOUARD FELIX MARCIIAL. WVitnesses:

EDWARD P. MAcLEAN, JOHN H. MILES. 

